- Amazon Originals Now Playing, For Free: Watch hilarious comedies and lovable children's pilots from top creators, featuring stars you love, only at Amazon Instant Video. See all the shows and let us know what you think.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Special Features
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
- Analysis of a Scene: "I Wanna Be a Producer"
- Feature Commentary with Director Susan Stroman
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The trend is to convert movies into stage musicals, but The Producers goes a step further: making a feature film of the smash-hit stage musical that was adapted from the 1968 film. The chief drawing card, of course, is Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprising their roles from the stage. Lane plays Max Bialystock, a legendary Broadway producer who hasn't had a hit show in a long time. Enter nebbish accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick), who tells Bialystock he could actually make more money with a flop than a hit. So the two set out to produce the worst Broadway musical of all time, one guaranteed to close on opening night, with the collaboration of an outrageous cast of characters: Will Ferrell as sieg heil-ing author Franz Liebkind, Uma Thurman as Swedish bombshell Ulla, Gary Beach as director Roger De Bris, and Roger Bart as his assistant, Carmen Ghia, among others.
As directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman (who did the same honors on Broadway) and co-written by Mel Brooks, The Producers is laugh-out-loud funny. It's also a relentlessly over-the-top, shamelessly bawdy, stereotype-ridden comedy that may turn off its audience just as much as its centerpiece, Springtime for Hitler, was intended to. But Broadway fans who are used to larger-than-life figures who play to the back row while showering the first row with spit, are likely to forgive and just enjoy the famous granny-walker dance, a supporting cast dotted with Broadway performers (playing a taxi driver is Brad Oscar, who originated the role of Liebkind on Broadway then later played Bialystock), or the mere spectacle of seeing Lane and Broderick memorializing the performances that millions never got a ticket to see. (For maximum laughs, stick around through the closing credits.) --David Horiuchi
Product Description
Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to their award-winning roles in the hilariously funny film of the record-breaking Broadway smash-hit. Scheming producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom (Broderick), discover that under the right circumstances they could make more money by producing a Broadway flop than they can with a hit. But what will they do when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise sensation? Co-starring sexy Uma Thurman and comedy genius Will Ferrell, The Producers is a fun-filled, side-splitting comedy.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I remember seeing the original film of The Producers in a virtually deserted theatre and loving it. I still think it is one of Mel Brooks' best films. So I was a bit apprehensive when I heard it was being turned into a Broadway musical and then that musical was being made into a film. But, on the whole, I have to admit to enjoying it much more than I thought I would.
Much of the credit must go to Susan Stroman's stagey and somewhat campy direction, which suits the material perfectly. Even more credit belongs to the incredible Nathan Lane for managing to equal Zero Mostel's original Max Bialystock and even, once or twice, surpassing it. He is, quite rightly, the heart and soul, of the film. The rest of the cast is not bad either. Uma Thurman is a pleasant surprise, the double act of Gary Beach and Roger Bart are pure politically-incorrect joy, and even Will Farrell is good. Which leaves Matthew Broderick. He certainly comes to life when singing and dancing, much more so than I would have expected. But his characterisation of Leo Bloom seems just a bit too bland. I know Leo is supposed to a personality-deficient accountant, but I really miss Gene Wilder's manic edge. With Broderick, there's not even a hint in the eyes that he really needs that blue blanket.
It was fun spotting all the lines of dialogue from the original and seeing how the story and characters were altered (I could understand LSD not fitting into the new concept but the playing of Hitler first by Hans, then by DeBris seemed a tad awkward). But, this being a musical version, the show is going to rise or fall on its musical numbers. In general, the staging was clever and often laugh out loud funny. The songs, it must be said, are not the most memorable ever heard on Broadway. But the energy and enthusiasm with which they are performed more than make up for that. Strange then that some of them are edited. The opening number ends so abruptly - I'm grateful that the DVD has the entire number as an extra. I can see no real reason why it was cut short (unless someone felt it was too Jewish). Surely, running times are not the crucial factor they used to be. But many delights survive including a chorus line of grannies with walking frames, beautiful girls dressed only in pearls, and Uma Thurman doing a quite good Cyd Charisse impersonation with her seemingly endless legs. In fact, the only real musical disappointment for me was the notorious Springtime For Hitler number which seemed to lack the punch, fizz and open-mouth shock quality of the original. Maybe it's the passage of time or just knowing that it was coming. But Nathan Lane's Betrayed number was soooo good that I had to rewind for an instant encore.
All in all, it's nice to see that someone can still do a good old-fashioned musical.
Much of the credit must go to Susan Stroman's stagey and somewhat campy direction, which suits the material perfectly. Even more credit belongs to the incredible Nathan Lane for managing to equal Zero Mostel's original Max Bialystock and even, once or twice, surpassing it. He is, quite rightly, the heart and soul, of the film. The rest of the cast is not bad either. Uma Thurman is a pleasant surprise, the double act of Gary Beach and Roger Bart are pure politically-incorrect joy, and even Will Farrell is good. Which leaves Matthew Broderick. He certainly comes to life when singing and dancing, much more so than I would have expected. But his characterisation of Leo Bloom seems just a bit too bland. I know Leo is supposed to a personality-deficient accountant, but I really miss Gene Wilder's manic edge. With Broderick, there's not even a hint in the eyes that he really needs that blue blanket.
It was fun spotting all the lines of dialogue from the original and seeing how the story and characters were altered (I could understand LSD not fitting into the new concept but the playing of Hitler first by Hans, then by DeBris seemed a tad awkward). But, this being a musical version, the show is going to rise or fall on its musical numbers. In general, the staging was clever and often laugh out loud funny. The songs, it must be said, are not the most memorable ever heard on Broadway. But the energy and enthusiasm with which they are performed more than make up for that. Strange then that some of them are edited. The opening number ends so abruptly - I'm grateful that the DVD has the entire number as an extra. I can see no real reason why it was cut short (unless someone felt it was too Jewish). Surely, running times are not the crucial factor they used to be. But many delights survive including a chorus line of grannies with walking frames, beautiful girls dressed only in pearls, and Uma Thurman doing a quite good Cyd Charisse impersonation with her seemingly endless legs. In fact, the only real musical disappointment for me was the notorious Springtime For Hitler number which seemed to lack the punch, fizz and open-mouth shock quality of the original. Maybe it's the passage of time or just knowing that it was coming. But Nathan Lane's Betrayed number was soooo good that I had to rewind for an instant encore.
All in all, it's nice to see that someone can still do a good old-fashioned musical.
29 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Loud, Crass, Dopey, Sleazy, Tuney, Beautifully produced and Acted and Supremely Not PC, Susan Stroman's "The Producers" comes at you like gang busters on speed.
The Singer/Actors here are/will always be identified with these parts as they have been on the Stage for the last several years: Nathan Lane as Max Bialystok, Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom and now Uma Thurman as blond bombshell, Ulla.
The story is pretty simple: Max, Broadway producer down on his luck comes upon the idea via his accountant Leo, to produce a show that will without any doubt fail; thereby, through larceny and/or accounting tricks, make both Max and Leo a lot of money. Make sense? Not much but who cares: it's in the telling that "The Producers" is so much fun.
Both Lane and Broderick chew the scenery within and inch of its life and most of the musical numbers are fantastically staged outdoors to great advantage: the investor ladies with walkers scene is a hoot as well as Leo's number with his fellow accountants as is the opening scene from the show that Max and Leo produce: "Springtime for Hitler."
"The Producers" will not teach you anything except maybe not to listen to your accountant nor will you leave the theater with any profound thoughts...but you will leave happy and positive...and those are not bad things, not bad things at all.
The Singer/Actors here are/will always be identified with these parts as they have been on the Stage for the last several years: Nathan Lane as Max Bialystok, Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom and now Uma Thurman as blond bombshell, Ulla.
The story is pretty simple: Max, Broadway producer down on his luck comes upon the idea via his accountant Leo, to produce a show that will without any doubt fail; thereby, through larceny and/or accounting tricks, make both Max and Leo a lot of money. Make sense? Not much but who cares: it's in the telling that "The Producers" is so much fun.
Both Lane and Broderick chew the scenery within and inch of its life and most of the musical numbers are fantastically staged outdoors to great advantage: the investor ladies with walkers scene is a hoot as well as Leo's number with his fellow accountants as is the opening scene from the show that Max and Leo produce: "Springtime for Hitler."
"The Producers" will not teach you anything except maybe not to listen to your accountant nor will you leave the theater with any profound thoughts...but you will leave happy and positive...and those are not bad things, not bad things at all.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A fantastic film, made less than it could have been by the studio's inability to keep everything intact.
Now with this DVD version, it seems that everyone will have a chance to see the film version of Nathan Lane's "King of Broadway", one of the best songs in the stage production - which for some reason, was not included in the theatrical release. We also get the short "In Old Bavaria", also cut from the theatrical release. However, omitted completely from the movie is the hilarious "Where Did We Go Right?" - disappointing, as it's the only song in the musical that won't ever be seen on film (and it's a great song, too!)
Even though I'm of the opnion that Mel Brooks himself would have done a better job with the camera work; Susan Stroman does her best to direct the film, and brings a flavor of old 1970's movie musicals to the entire production (whether it was intentional or not.)
Be forewarned: After listening to the original broadway cast recording (which receives my highest possible recommendation), you will wish they kept the original Franz [Brad Oscar] and Ulla [Cady Huffman] - their voices are very strong and it's hard to accept Will Farrell or Uma Thurman in those roles if you've been, even slightly, exposed to the original cast (especially Cady Huffman - who truly makes Ulla "belt" the song "If You've Got It, Flaunt It").
All compromises aside, this is one heck of a movie musical which brightly shines the spotlight on the performance abilities of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. You can easily see why they will always be the definitive stage versions of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom.
Now with this DVD version, it seems that everyone will have a chance to see the film version of Nathan Lane's "King of Broadway", one of the best songs in the stage production - which for some reason, was not included in the theatrical release. We also get the short "In Old Bavaria", also cut from the theatrical release. However, omitted completely from the movie is the hilarious "Where Did We Go Right?" - disappointing, as it's the only song in the musical that won't ever be seen on film (and it's a great song, too!)
Even though I'm of the opnion that Mel Brooks himself would have done a better job with the camera work; Susan Stroman does her best to direct the film, and brings a flavor of old 1970's movie musicals to the entire production (whether it was intentional or not.)
Be forewarned: After listening to the original broadway cast recording (which receives my highest possible recommendation), you will wish they kept the original Franz [Brad Oscar] and Ulla [Cady Huffman] - their voices are very strong and it's hard to accept Will Farrell or Uma Thurman in those roles if you've been, even slightly, exposed to the original cast (especially Cady Huffman - who truly makes Ulla "belt" the song "If You've Got It, Flaunt It").
All compromises aside, this is one heck of a movie musical which brightly shines the spotlight on the performance abilities of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. You can easily see why they will always be the definitive stage versions of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of my favorites
I prefer this version over the original with Gene Wilder. The raunchy humor isn't for everyone, but it's the perfect ticket for those with a bent sense of humor and not offended by... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Claire Hebbard
4.0 out of 5 stars
very good
first watched at a friend's recommendation when i goggled at their singing of "Springtime for Hitler" at work, i found myself laughing uproariously. Read more
Published 21 days ago by nekokoi
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the one
Apologizing in advance to those who like the original...no, take that back...no apologies...Nathan Lane/Matthew Broderick version is THE one, if only for the Springtime for Hitler... Read more
Published 28 days ago by farmerbrown
5.0 out of 5 stars
well worth the watch
it was a laugh a minute movie. Well worth the watch. we dont usually watch musicals, but this one was great
Published 1 month ago by goodsammoe
4.0 out of 5 stars
This ISN'T the original!!
Don't know why I didn't see it when ordered, but this is the stage "musical" version, not the original movie w/ Zero Mostel and and Gene Wilder. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard O Ashby
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very well done update of the Zero Mostel original!
Nathan Lane & Matthew Broderick revive the original with the same pluck and masterful acting as Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. Read more
Published 1 month ago by dk
3.0 out of 5 stars
Funny
Finally saw this, after my father has been raving about it for years. It was definitely funny. A nice movie for a Saturday afternoon.
Published 1 month ago by Meg
4.0 out of 5 stars
Watch the outtakes
The film will never be as good as seeing Nathan and Matthew on Broadway, but the outtakes in the Special Features section make this worth the low price... Read more
Published 1 month ago by David E Snyder
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best movie ever.
My son considers it a bad day if he hasn't watched this movie once. I ordered this copy because my last copy was worn out. He doesn't get the adult themes to it, so no harm. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Basherte
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this movie!
We love this movie. We ordered this because we loaned our first copy of this movie to a friend who, kind of understandably I guess, never returned it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ShuaLaw
Look for Similar Items by Category
|
